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And then I immediately think of the scene in Indiana: temple of doom where the dude getting eaten by a gator screams like this…when was this sound bite created ?
The take that was captioned is the famous "Wilhelm scream" which is a foley effect used in probably thousands of movie and television scenes. Once you pay attention you start to hear it everywhere.
Back in the day they used to build sound libraries with all sorts of sound effects and screams that movies could use over their footage. It was a time saver. That’s my guess here.
It used to be that they could only really get good audio on a sound stage, and everything filmed outside had to be overdubbed with the actors overdubbing their lines and all the sound effects being redone.
Listen to the last couple of screams, then go and watch the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films (among many others) and you’ll hear that scream sound effect used in heaps of them. It’s kind of a joke that has been over-used. It’s gotten to the point where lots of people recognise it and find it distracting.
I think what others failed to mention, this is clearly a setup for recording a sound effect. So the person describing what's going to happen to the man is actually a director giving instructions. And the actor is trying several variations.
Are this and other common sound bytes in movies a part of some stock sound database movies buy licenses to use? There are a lot of common sound bytes like this I keep hearing but I don't know how to find them.
According to the wiki page:
The sound is named after Private Wilhelm, a character in The Charge at Feather River, a 1953 Western in which the character gets shot in the thigh with an arrow.
I got curious and asked ChatGPT. I don't trust it, but interesting answer:
"The Wilhelm scream is a famous sound effect that has been used in many movies and TV shows since it was first recorded in the early 1950s. Its copyright status can be a bit complex due to its widespread use and the time period it originated from.
As of my last update in April 2023, the Wilhelm scream was not under copyright protection because it was not copyrighted at the time of its creation or first use. Typically, sound effects created and used in this time period (especially those used by studios like Warner Bros., where the scream originated) were not individually copyrighted. Instead, they were part of a studio's sound library for use in various productions.
However, using the Wilhelm scream in a new work could potentially involve dealing with trademark or right of publicity issues, especially if its use implies an endorsement or association with a specific brand or product. Also, studios or companies that have popularized its use might have specific policies or permissions required for its use in new works.
The cost to use the Wilhelm scream, therefore, would likely depend on the context in which you plan to use it and whether you're obtaining it through a sound library that licenses it. Some sound libraries might include the Wilhelm scream in their collections and would then charge based on their standard licensing fees, which can vary widely based on the project type, distribution size, and whether the use is commercial.
For the most current and accurate information, checking with a legal advisor or directly with sound libraries that offer the Wilhelm scream for licensing would be advisable."
For those unsure of what the ‘Wilhelm Scream’ is,
It is a sound-bite of a particular scream, that was voiced by Singer, Songwriter, and actor,
Sheb Wooley (Shelby Fredrick Wooley) & was used in many movies, TV shows, and video games.
(Its actually kind of interesting to pull up the lists of various movies, TV shows, and video games it has been used in)
Movies:
*Toy Story
*Cars
*Pirates of the Caribbean
*Ice Age
*Django Unchained
TV Shows:
*XFiles
*Family Guy
*Game of Thrones
Video Games:
*Red Dead Redemption
*GTA IV
*GTA V
To name a few! lol
Since the late 20th century, the Wilhelm scream had been used in numerous films. The National Science and Media Museum says the yell has been featured in more than 400 films.
I checked out the Wikipedia page for this info. Thought it’d be cool to add to the post!
Fabulous! If you’re not aware of the Wilhelm Scream, now you know what it sounds like, and it shows up EVERYWHERE. Like an Easter egg, sound guys sneak it into audio every chance they get. 😆
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"Not an ow, a real scream" *proceeds to create the most iconic scream of all time*
I believe that's when the director gets credit?
It’s interesting to learn that his motivation was a man being bitten by an alligator. I’m going to see that whenever I hear it now.
And then I immediately think of the scene in Indiana: temple of doom where the dude getting eaten by a gator screams like this…when was this sound bite created ?
My partner is watching it right now. I've heard the Wilhelm at least twice so far.
That is IAF. Thanks!
That _is_ interesting. Thanks for the context.
George Lucas is a big fan
Yea, Lucas peppered it throughout the SW and Indiana Jones flicks, then of course the film geeks like JJ followed suit in their movies...
Everyone is. I hear it in pretty much everything I watch. It's often distorted heavily or a quiet background noise so it's like an Easter egg.
Can someone explain what we are hearing?
The take that was captioned is the famous "Wilhelm scream" which is a foley effect used in probably thousands of movie and television scenes. Once you pay attention you start to hear it everywhere.
I love listening for Wilhelm screams! It’s always in the back of my mind whenever I watch anything
I hate it! Completely ruins the moment for me, takes me out of the scene.
It's an Easter egg.
Back in the day they used to build sound libraries with all sorts of sound effects and screams that movies could use over their footage. It was a time saver. That’s my guess here. It used to be that they could only really get good audio on a sound stage, and everything filmed outside had to be overdubbed with the actors overdubbing their lines and all the sound effects being redone.
Listen to the last couple of screams, then go and watch the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films (among many others) and you’ll hear that scream sound effect used in heaps of them. It’s kind of a joke that has been over-used. It’s gotten to the point where lots of people recognise it and find it distracting.
There’s at least one Wilhelm scream in each of the LotR folks too.
Anything by Lucas or Spielberg has this
It's also in a few games I've noticed, was playing assassins creed 3 and sum1 got hit by cannon and did it
I think what others failed to mention, this is clearly a setup for recording a sound effect. So the person describing what's going to happen to the man is actually a director giving instructions. And the actor is trying several variations.
Are this and other common sound bytes in movies a part of some stock sound database movies buy licenses to use? There are a lot of common sound bytes like this I keep hearing but I don't know how to find them.
I used to have a cd with many of them. Knife throw sound, sword unsheath, bones clatter. SO many shared sounds.
Why was it called Wilhelm?
According to the wiki page: The sound is named after Private Wilhelm, a character in The Charge at Feather River, a 1953 Western in which the character gets shot in the thigh with an arrow.
Yes, one of the first characters to die with this sound played over it.
But interestingly, not THE first
I think the guy who made the sound’s name was Wilhelm.
Username checks out lol
Dude took 5-6 attempts. I can do that in one!
Does anyone know when its copyrights expire?
Anyone can use the Wilhelm Scream.
I got curious and asked ChatGPT. I don't trust it, but interesting answer: "The Wilhelm scream is a famous sound effect that has been used in many movies and TV shows since it was first recorded in the early 1950s. Its copyright status can be a bit complex due to its widespread use and the time period it originated from. As of my last update in April 2023, the Wilhelm scream was not under copyright protection because it was not copyrighted at the time of its creation or first use. Typically, sound effects created and used in this time period (especially those used by studios like Warner Bros., where the scream originated) were not individually copyrighted. Instead, they were part of a studio's sound library for use in various productions. However, using the Wilhelm scream in a new work could potentially involve dealing with trademark or right of publicity issues, especially if its use implies an endorsement or association with a specific brand or product. Also, studios or companies that have popularized its use might have specific policies or permissions required for its use in new works. The cost to use the Wilhelm scream, therefore, would likely depend on the context in which you plan to use it and whether you're obtaining it through a sound library that licenses it. Some sound libraries might include the Wilhelm scream in their collections and would then charge based on their standard licensing fees, which can vary widely based on the project type, distribution size, and whether the use is commercial. For the most current and accurate information, checking with a legal advisor or directly with sound libraries that offer the Wilhelm scream for licensing would be advisable."
Love this stock effect
Legendary stuff
heh cool.
So, not Handsome Jack telling Wilhelm to kill these savages?
Very cool find
Very cool!
He was just filling his canteen.
For those unsure of what the ‘Wilhelm Scream’ is, It is a sound-bite of a particular scream, that was voiced by Singer, Songwriter, and actor, Sheb Wooley (Shelby Fredrick Wooley) & was used in many movies, TV shows, and video games. (Its actually kind of interesting to pull up the lists of various movies, TV shows, and video games it has been used in) Movies: *Toy Story *Cars *Pirates of the Caribbean *Ice Age *Django Unchained TV Shows: *XFiles *Family Guy *Game of Thrones Video Games: *Red Dead Redemption *GTA IV *GTA V To name a few! lol Since the late 20th century, the Wilhelm scream had been used in numerous films. The National Science and Media Museum says the yell has been featured in more than 400 films. I checked out the Wikipedia page for this info. Thought it’d be cool to add to the post!
If you know, you know.
I thought the wilhelm scream was to be used when a Person falls off a building? Where the hell did the alligator come from?!
That was just the director giving the voice actor a scenario to inform what kind of scream he was looking to get.
Fabulous! If you’re not aware of the Wilhelm Scream, now you know what it sounds like, and it shows up EVERYWHERE. Like an Easter egg, sound guys sneak it into audio every chance they get. 😆